KUALA LUMPUR — A civil society group has urged the Home Ministry to allow all individuals aged 18 or 21 and above who meet basic eligibility conditions to apply for Malaysian citizenship as stipulated in the Federal Constitution.
The call by DHRRA (Development of Human Resources in Rural Areas) Malaysia comes amid public backlash over the naturalisation of seven Harimau Malaya players using falsified documents.
In a statement on Facebook today, DHRRA said many young people born and raised in Malaysia continue to face significant obstacles when attempting to file their citizenship applications.
“Complaints have highlighted repeated referrals between the Home Ministry and the National Registration Department (NRD), with applicants often told that application forms are unavailable.
“These youths are born in Malaysia, have no other nationality, attended local schools, speak the national language, and have good character. Yet they are unable to apply because forms are not provided, even though they meet the basic criteria,” said the group.
Thus, the Home Ministry and NRD should allow eligible individuals to submit applications under Article 19 of the Federal Constitution, under the Special Circumstances provision, the group added.
“The Home Ministry should accept and fairly evaluate all applications, in line with the principles of justice, humanitarian concern, and the best interests of individuals who are not at fault for documentation delays.”
“Let us not be unfair to these children. They are part of the Malaysian family, and they deserve the space and chance to be recognised as citizens. Do not let our own children starve, while outsiders are fed,” DHRRA said.
The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) is currently facing the heat from FIFA over the falsification of official documents to naturalise seven players.
FAM was fined 350,000 Swiss francs (approximately RM1.9 million), while each of the seven players — Gabriel Palmero, Facundo Garcés, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, João Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal and Héctor Hevel — was fined 2,000 Swiss francs (about RM10,000) and suspended from all football activities for 12 months.
Aside from the fine, FIFA has also recommended that a criminal investigation be launched across five countries — Brazil, Argentina, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia — over the document falsification charges.— November 23, 2025